Sandbox with superstructure defining a play structure detachably attached thereto

ABSTRACT

A sandbox for children comprised of a basic shell base for the containing of a layer of sand therein, and assorted superstructures adapted for detachable mounting on the shell base in a manner to convert the sandbox into a variety of different imagination stimulating structures, such as boat, a submarine, a fire engine, and the like to thus provide unlimited hours of enjoyment to children in the playing with the various superstructures on the sandbox.

United States Patent [191 Boynton [451 May 6,1975

[ SANDBOX WITH SUPERSTRUCTURE DEFINING A PLAY STRUCTURE DETACHABLY ATTACHED THERETO [76] Inventor: Vaughn E. Boynton, PO. Box 423,

Layton, Utah 84041 [22] Filed: Jan. 7, 1974 211 Appl. No.: 431,573

D99,379 4/1936 Van Doren D34/5 F D130,746 12/1941 Oermann D34/5 F D145,391 8/1946 Cosme D34/5 F D198,092 4/1964 Croushore D34/5 F D203,753 2/1966 Greenberg D34/5 F Primary ExaminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-R. T. Stouffer Attorney, Agent, or FirmMarden S. Gordon 5 7 ABSTRACT A sandbox for children comprised of a basic shell base for the containing of a layer of sand therein, and assorted superstructures adapted for detachable mounting on the shell base in a manner to convert the sandbox into a variety of different imagination stimulating structures, such as boat, a submarine, a fire engine, and the like to thus provide unlimited hours of enjoyment to children in the playing with the various superstructures on the sandbox.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures SANDBOX WITH SUPERSTRUCTURE DEFINING A PLAY STRUCTURE DETACHABLY ATTACHED THERETO BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION However, children playing with such sandboxes soon become bored with the limited activities available for play therein with the sandbox soon being discarded in favor of other toys or games.

Prior art sandboxes thus suffer difficulties in attempting to please the children in that they lack any major attraction other than the containing of a layer of sand with which the children may play.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention recognizes the faults of presently available sandboxes and overcomes the deficiencies and disadvantages thereof by providing a novel super sandbox providing a basic sand containing shell base adapted to have a multiplicity of superstructures mounted on the base in a manner to stimulate the imagination of children thus providing unlimited hours of enjoyment of the sandbox and associated superstructures mounted thereon by such children.

Further, the present invention provides a novel super sandbox permitting for the children to readily mount superstructures thereon for converting the basic shell base of the sandbox into the form of a boat, submarine, fire engine, truck crane, car, moon rover, and the like.

Among the features and advantages of the present invention is the provision of a super sandbox which is relatively simple in its construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost and by simple manufacturing methods; one which is possessed of few parts and which therefore is unlikely to get out of order; one which is rugged and durable in construction and which therefore may be guaranteed by the manufacturer to withstand rough usage by children; one which is aesthetically pleasing and refined in appearance; one which is easy to use and reliable and efficient in operation; one which can be retailed at a sufficiently low price to encourage its widespread purchase in the consumer market; one which may, in its entirety, be manufactured and sold with both the basic shell and a plurality of superstructure assemblies, or which may be alternatively sold in other combinations of components as determined most preferable by the manufacturer, and one which is otherwise well adapted to perform the services required of it.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following descriptron.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the basic shell base and boat superstructure mounted thereon, this combination being in accord with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the basic shell base;

FIG. 3 is a an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along Line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the basic shell base having a submarine type superstructure mounted thereon; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the basic shell base similar to FIG. 4 and having a fire engine superstructure mounted thereon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive, a preferred form of a super sandbox constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is generally illustrated and is comprised of two component parts, namely a basic shell base 11 and a superstructure 12 which is detachably attached to the base.

The base 11 and superstructure 12 may be manufactured out of metal, wood, hard rubber, plastic, or any other suitable satisfactory material which is aesthetically pleasing and refined in appearance and has the necessary structural characteristics, with the preferred embodiment being manufactured of high density polyethylene plastic material having the characteristics of high durability, ease in fabrication, and ease in cleaning, with the components being provided in a multiplicity of selectable colors and designs to make the sandbox appealing to the individual tastes and desires of individual prospective purchasers.

The basic shell base 11 is defined by a horizontal bottom surface 21 a vertical back wall surface 22, a vertical front wall surface 23 which projects upwardly and is inclined outwardly from the front edge of bottom surface 21, and a pair of opposed vertical side wall surfaces 24 and 25, the surfaces defining therebetween a compartment 26 adapted to contain a layer of sand (not shown) therein. A play seat 27 of an elongated substantially flat rectangular configuration extends transversely of compartment 26 adjacent back wall surface 22 and intermediate said wall surfaces 24 and 25, the seat being spaced vertically from bottom surface 21 and adapted for use by children in sitting thereon while playing with the sandbox of the present invention. Extending substantially horizontally across the top edges of the front portion of side walls 24 and 25 in a manner transversely of the sandbox and overlying compartment 26 is platform 28 having a top surface 29 and a bottom surface 30 and provided with a plurality of spaced apart apertures 31 extending therethrough. Platform 28 is permanently affixed to the top edges of side walls 24 and 25 along with being permanently secured to the top edge of front wall surface 23.

While the overall dimensions of the base 11 ma vary, the preferred embodiment provides for a base which is about 3 feet in width, about 6 feet in length, about about 9 inches in height.

The superstructure 12 is illustrated in the basic shape and configuration of the cabin of a boat, with it being understood that this superstructure has been selected for purposes of illustration only in that it is envisioned within the scope of the present invention to provide superstructures of various sizes and configurations for the stimulation of a child's imagination, sfich as in the form of a submarine, fire truck, car, truck, truck crane, moon rover, and the like which, while may be generally different in configuration, each contain the same basic requirements needed for detachably attaching the superstructure to the base 11.

The superstructure 12 consists of a horizontal top member 41, opposed side wall members 42 and 43 each extending vertically downwardly from opposed edges of the top member and terminating at bottom edges 44 and 45, and a front wall member 46 depending downwardly from the front edge of top member 41 and affixed to the front vertical edges of side members 42 and 43 and which extends downwardly from the top member at a forward incline relative thereto and terminates at a bottom edge 47 lying co-planar with bottom edges 44 and 45. Each of side members 42 and 43 are provided with window type openings 48 and 49 respectively therein, with front wall member 46 provided with a forward facing windowopening 50 therein. Affixed to the back edge of top member 41 is the top of a ladder 51 which extends downwardly therefrom at an angle thereto and is of a suitable length such that the bottom end of the ladder rests on the bottom surface 21 of the base 11.

Bottom edges 44 and 45 are each provided with vertically downwardly extending boss members 55 which are each of a size and configuration adapted to pass through associated apertures 31 in platform 28, with each boss member having affixed to the projecting free end thereof a resilient retaining member 56 which is of an inverted truncated conical configuration having a base of a larger diameter than the diameter of apertures 31 and adapted to be resiliently forced through associated aperture 31 with the base 57 then engaging bottom surface 30 of platform 28 to retain the superstructure 12 detachably attached to the basic shell base 11, the superstructure being detachable from the shell base by radially compressing retaining members 56 and then removing the boss members 55 from apertures 31.

Referring to H0. 4 there is illustrated a superstructure 12' in the form of a submarine having a periscope 60, a ladder 61, a cannon 62, and a housing 63 with the bottom edge 64, the bottom edge" having affixed thereto bosses -55 and retaining members 56 of a size and configuration substantially identical to those previously described with regard to superstructure 12 so as to mount the submarine superstructure 12' to platform '28 of basic shell base 11.

Referring now to FIG. there is illustrated a fire engine or fire truck type superstructure 12" including a ladder 71, a bell 72, a housing 73 having a bottom edge 74, and a dome light 75, the bottom edge 74 provided with a plurality of bosses 55 and retaining members 56 substantially identical to those aforedescribed relative to superstructure 12 so as to detachably attach the fire engine superstructure 12" to platform 28 of the basic shell base 11.

There is thus provided a novel super sandbox having a plurality of superstructures adapted to be detachably attached thereto in a manner providing superior exercise of the imagination of children playing with the sandbox and utilizing the superrructures in association therewith in a manner providing unlimited hours of enjoyment to either one child playing individually or a plurality of children playing together with the sandbox.

.It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to 'shape, size, and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed l. A super sandbox comprising a basic shell base having a horizontal bottom surface, upright back and front wall surfaces, and upright opposed side wall surfaces, said surfaces defining therebetween a compartment adapted to contain a layer of sand therein; a substantially horizontal platform permanently affixed to the top edges of said opposed side wall surfaces at the front end portion of the shell base in a manner extending transversely of the shell base and overlying said compartment defined therein; a plurality of spaced apart apertures defined in said platform and extending vertically therethrough; a superstructure adapted to be detachably attached to said basic shell base and project above the horizontal platform thereof in a manner defining a play structure for children to use in conjunction with the sandbox of the basic shell base, said superstructure consisting ofa housing of any desired size and configuration having a top member, side wall members depending downwardly from the top member and terminating in bottom edges, said bottom edges lying coplanar at opposite sides of said housing and adapted to rest said housing on said horizontal platform, each of said terminal edges provided with boss members projecting downwardly therefrom and each of said boss members adapted to be detachably received in one of said apertures of said platform to detachably retain said superstructure mounted on said platform.

2. The sandbox as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said platform apertures is of a circular configuration, each of said boss members is of an elongated cylindrical configuration adapted to be freely received in said apertures, and each of said boss members has affixed to its projecting free end thereof a resilient retaining member, each retaining member being in the shape of an inverted truncated conical cone having a base portion disposed in confronting relationship with the'terminal edge of said housing bottom edge and of a diameter greater than the diameter of said platform apertures, said retaining members adapted to resiliently pass through said platform apertures with said base members engaging the bottom surface of said platform to detachably retain said superstructure to said platform.

3. The sandbox as set forth in claim 2 wherein said basic shell base further comprises a seat defining member disposed in said compartment extending transversely thereof adjacent said back wall surface intermediate said side wall surfaces and spaced vertically above said bottom surface, said seat member adapted for use by children in sitting thereon during play with the sandbox.

4. The sandbox as set forth in claim 3 wherein said superstructure is in the general form of a cabin of a boat having a horizontal top member. opposed vertically downwardly extending side wall members each provided with a window aperture therein, and a downward vertically extending front wall member having a front facing window aperture provided therein, and a ladder affixed to the back edge of said top member and extending downwardly therefrom with the bottom end of said ladder adapted to rest on the bottom surface of said basic shell base.

5. The sandbox as set forth in claim 3 wherein said superstructure is in the form of a submarine simulating housing comprising a vertically extending housing member, a periscope affixed to the top of said housing, a ladder affixed to the side of said housing, and a simulated cannon affixed to the front surface of said hous- 6. The sandbox as set forth in claim 3 wherein said superstructure is in the general form of a fire truck having a housing projecting vertically, a dome light simulated on the top of said housing, a pair of ladders affixed to opposite sides of said housing and projecting rearwardly therefrom, and a bell affixed to the front surface of said housing.

7. The sandbox as set forth in claim 3 wherein the basic shell base is about 3 feet in width, about 6 feet in length, and about 9 inches in height.

8. The sandbox as set forth in claim 7 wherein the basic shell base and the superstructure are each manufactured of high density polyethylene plastic material provided in a variety of selectable colors and decorations. 

1. A super sandbox comprising a basic shell base having a horizontal bottom surface, upright back and front wall surfaces, and upright opposed side wall surfaces, said surfaces defining therebetween a compartment adapted to contain a layer of sand thereiN; a substantially horizontal platform permanently affixed to the top edges of said opposed side wall surfaces at the front end portion of the shell base in a manner extending transversely of the shell base and overlying said compartment defined therein; a plurality of spaced apart apertures defined in said platform and extending vertically therethrough; a superstructure adapted to be detachably attached to said basic shell base and project above the horizontal platform thereof in a manner defining a play structure for children to use in conjunction with the sandbox of the basic shell base, said superstructure consisting of a housing of any desired size and configuration having a top member, side wall members depending downwardly from the top member and terminating in bottom edges, said bottom edges lying co-planar at opposite sides of said housing and adapted to rest said housing on said horizontal platform, each of said terminal edges provided with boss members projecting downwardly therefrom and each of said boss members adapted to be detachably received in one of said apertures of said platform to detachably retain said superstructure mounted on said platform.
 2. The sandbox as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said platform apertures is of a circular configuration, each of said boss members is of an elongated cylindrical configuration adapted to be freely received in said apertures, and each of said boss members has affixed to its projecting free end thereof a resilient retaining member, each retaining member being in the shape of an inverted truncated conical cone having a base portion disposed in confronting relationship with the terminal edge of said housing bottom edge and of a diameter greater than the diameter of said platform apertures, said retaining members adapted to resiliently pass through said platform apertures with said base members engaging the bottom surface of said platform to detachably retain said superstructure to said platform.
 3. The sandbox as set forth in claim 2 wherein said basic shell base further comprises a seat defining member disposed in said compartment extending transversely thereof adjacent said back wall surface intermediate said side wall surfaces and spaced vertically above said bottom surface, said seat member adapted for use by children in sitting thereon during play with the sandbox.
 4. The sandbox as set forth in claim 3 wherein said superstructure is in the general form of a cabin of a boat having a horizontal top member, opposed vertically downwardly extending side wall members each provided with a window aperture therein, and a downward vertically extending front wall member having a front facing window aperture provided therein, and a ladder affixed to the back edge of said top member and extending downwardly therefrom with the bottom end of said ladder adapted to rest on the bottom surface of said basic shell base.
 5. The sandbox as set forth in claim 3 wherein said superstructure is in the form of a submarine simulating housing comprising a vertically extending housing member, a periscope affixed to the top of said housing, a ladder affixed to the side of said housing, and a simulated cannon affixed to the front surface of said housing.
 6. The sandbox as set forth in claim 3 wherein said superstructure is in the general form of a fire truck having a housing projecting vertically, a dome light simulated on the top of said housing, a pair of ladders affixed to opposite sides of said housing and projecting rearwardly therefrom, and a bell affixed to the front surface of said housing.
 7. The sandbox as set forth in claim 3 wherein the basic shell base is about 3 feet in width, about 6 feet in length, and about 9 inches in height.
 8. The sandbox as set forth in claim 7 wherein the basic shell base and the superstructure are each manufactured of high density polyethylene plastic material provided in a variety of selectable colors and decorations. 